UM system Executive Vice President Gordon Lamb announces retirement

Contact

After more than 40 years in public higher education, University of Missouri System Executive Vice President Gordon Lamb has announced his retirement effective March 1, 2009.

"Gordon has been an integral part of the university system, and his wisdom, leadership and commitment to higher education will be missed," said University of Missouri System President Gary Forsee. "He and his wife Nancy have provided invaluable support to Sherry and me during our transition to the university. We wish him all the best as he begins the next chapter of his life."

The University of Missouri Board of Curators named Lamb interim president of the UM system in April 2007 following former President Elson S. Floyd's departure for Washington State University. The board appointed Lamb executive vice president in February 2008 when Forsee became president.

As interim president, Lamb established The Missouri 100, a presidential advisory group promoting the role of the university in the state's future and its reputation worldwide. Lamb also built a statewide coalition of public universities and community colleges to address the state's health care needs.

In addition, as executive vice president, he chaired a systemwide task force to examine e-learning programs across the U.S., and subsequently laid the groundwork for expanding online learning across University of Missouri campuses.

Prior to his appointment as interim president, Lamb was senior vice president for EFL and Associates, an executive search firm with headquarters in Kansas City, Mo. He also served as interim chancellor of the University of Missouri-Kansas City from February 1999 through March 2000.

Prior to these appointments, Lamb served as interim chancellor at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and subsequently as president of Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago from 1986 to 1995. Before his Northeastern presidency, he served for nearly 12 years at the University of Texas-San Antonio as vice president-academic affairs and founding Director of the Division of Music.

Lamb is the author of numerous books, articles and musical compositions. As a music professor and choral conductor, he conducted concerts and festivals in 17 states and across Europe. In addition, he is the recipient of several awards, including the National Award for Teacher Education's Most Supportive President or Chancellor from the American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education.

"The board of curators is grateful for Dr. Lamb's service as interim president during the university's search for, and transition to, new leadership," said Board Chair Bo Fraser. "Gordon has done an excellent job leading the university and helping to secure its future."

Forsee said that the position of executive vice president will be not be filled.